Shoulder

Hand
  • Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
  • Cubital Tunnel Syndrome
  • Trigger Finger/Trigger Thumb
  • Basilar Thumb Arthritis
  • Finger Arthritis
  • Rheumatoid Arthritis
  • Dupytren’s Contracture
  • Tendon Lacerations
  • Tetraplegic Reconstruction

    Wrist
  • DeQuervain’s Tendinitis
  • Wrist Ganglion
  • Distal Radius Fractures
  • Scaphoid Fractures
  • Triangular Fibrocartilage Tear
  • Wrist Arthritis

    Elbow
  • Tennis Elbow
  • Distal Biceps Tendon Tear
  • Elbow Fractures
  • Elbow Ligament Injuries
  • Elbow Arthritis

    Shoulder
  • Rotator Cuff Tendinosis
  • Rotator Cuff Tear
  • Shoulder Instability/Dislocations
  • SLAP Lesions

    • Rotator Cuff Tendinosis

    We used to think that the problem was rotator cuff tendinitis, which means inflammation of the rotator cuff, but since shoulder surgeons started looking at this injured tissue under the microscope we now know that this is not correct. What really happens is that the rotator cuff degenerates, without inflammation. The technical name for this degeneration is rotator cuff tendinosis.

    Rotator cuff tendinosis, is an overuse injury. Overuse occurs when repetitive activity leads to tissue damage quicker than the body can heal. This repetitive trauma eventually leads to chronic tissue breakdown and pain. more

    Rotator Cuff Tear

    Many rotator cuff tears occur due trauma, such as falls, motor vehicle accidents, etc. These traumatic tears are usually best treated by early surgery. However, over 50% of rotator cuff tears occur without trauma, often as part of the aging process. As we age, we lose our hair, our bone density, and often a certain part of our rotator cuff. In patients under 60 years of age, or those who have a rotator cuff tear following trauma, the rotator cuff tear is probably not part of the aging process, and should be repaired. In patients over the age of 60 years who haven’t had significant trauma and who can elevate their arms above their heads, 50-82% of patients with rotator cuff tears may feel better by simply strengthening their rotator cuffs and the muscles about the shoulder blades. If 3 months of strengthening fails to provide good pain relief, a rotator cuff repair should be considered. more

    Shoulder Instability/Dislocations

    The shoulder ligaments can be stretched out by either a single traumatic event, such as a dislocation, or by multiple minor insults without trauma, such as excessive swimming or throwing. Shoulder instability can cause pain, weakness, and impairment. more

    SLAP Lesions

    SLAP lesions are tears of the superior labrum (meniscus-like tissue around the glenoid socket) that include the ‘root’ of the biceps tendon. These are uncommon injuries, except in throwing athletes and in patients who have had significant trauma (ski accidents, bad falls, motor vehicle accidents, etc). It is rare to see a painful SLAP tear in a patient who is not an overhead athlete and has not sustained a significant trauma. more